AN EALY RISER

Expect Kony to have extra pep in step in ‘revenge’ game vs. Cats

Kony Ealy wore his best poker face. The Jets defensive end showed no emotion. He repeated the same clichés over and over. He pretended as if Sunday’s game against the Panthers was just another game.

“I’m gonna go out there and play the same game I’ve been playing and try and focus on getting that ‘W,’ ” Ealy said following Wednesday’s practice. “At the end of the day, I’m worried about going out there and focusing on winning the game and trying to get into the playoffs.”

Ealy was far more candid the previous day, while appearing on the NFL Network.

“I’ve got a lot of friends I played with over there and a lot of coaches,” Ealy said. “It’s going to mean more to me playing in that game and just being fired up about going out there and just really doing what I need to do for my team. But also, getting a little revenge, I guess you could say.”

Ealy didn’t need to say it again. The circumstances made it obvious.

Taken by Carolina in the second round of the 2014 draft, Ealy began to fulfill the high expectations in his second season, after becoming a starter. During one stretch, he recorded a sack in five straight games.

In Super Bowl 50, his potential was fully unleashed — he registered three sacks, with an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery — in the Panthers’ loss to the Broncos.

But just over a year later, Ealy was traded to the Patriots, in exchange for a draft pick. Ealy ultimately was cut by New England on Aug. 26, and claimed the next day off waivers by the Jets, where he has again impressed Panthers coach Ron Rivera.

“K on y’ s one of those guys that he flashes his ability, and when he flashes it, the guy is tough to block,” Rivera said. “He does a lot of good things. I think he’s a guy that continues to develop and grow, and when he gets there, he can be a really good player in this league.

“I think the young man still has some room to grow. I think he showed us what his potential could be when he played in Super Bowl 50 for us and did a heck of a job.”

Though Ealy only batted down one pass in the first three games of the season, the 25-year-old now leads all defensive linemen with nine passes defended, while adding an interception and a sack.

“He’s unbelievable,” linebacker Demario Davis said. “He’s great at getting after the quarterback. ... He provides matchup problems for other teams on the outside, which opens up things for other guys.”

Coach Todd Bowles has noted how much Ealy has grown since becoming comfortable with the team’s defensive schemes.

“He’s not thinking as much, obviously getting a better grasp of the system,” Bowles said. “It took a while to get that down. He’s not thinking as much and just going out and playing.”

Ealy’s next challenge is one he’s used to — chasing former teammate Cam Newton — but t he defensive end wouldn’t discuss his familiarity with the quarterback, or the other players he once shared a locker room with. He also said he wouldn’t talk to anyone on the Panthers until after the game is over.

“Right now I’m focused on getting a win,” Ealy said. “I’ve moved on as far as that.”

His words told one implausible story. His actions will likely say something else.